40 Votes (4.77 Average) and 17,996 Views  

Boeing 737-700 (N477WN) - N9168J, a Piper Cherokee, is making a valiant effort to keep up, but it is losing the race with Southwests N477WN as both aircraft take off from KRNOs parallel runways simultaneously at 6:50 AM. The Southwest B737, seen here as the wheels are being tucked into the wells, was departing on a Reno-Chicago (RNO-MDW) run. The Piper pilot was enjoying some local-area flying time.
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Boeing 737-700 (N477WN)

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N9168J, a Piper Cherokee, is making a valiant effort to keep up, but it is losing the race with Southwest's N477WN as both aircraft take off from KRNO's parallel runways simultaneously at 6:50 AM. The Southwest B737, seen here as the wheels are being tucked into the wells, was departing on a Reno-Chicago (RNO-MDW) run. The Piper pilot was enjoying some local-area flying time.

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Gary SchenauerPhoto Uploader
The Cherokee, which was departing from 34R, had a 2000' "head start" but the Boeing, which began its "D" roll on 34L, quickly pulled even and as both aircraft rotated toward the sky, the SW moved ahead, easily winning the departure race.
Viv Pike
OK - so "Big Boy" won that race. Let them touch down at the same time, and we see who can come to a dead-stop first. Give the B737 a 2000' head start on touch down, I bet the baby Piper would still stop first. ;-)
Gary SchenauerPhoto Uploader
Hey, Viv, I never thought of that! Excellent point (HUGE grin). The Piper owner is a local. If I see him, I'll pass your info along. Maybe it will help ease the "sting" of his defeat in this "race" yesterday. And BTW, this is the Reno Tahoe International Airport's version of "Reno Air Races." One-sided for sure, but it helps feed our appetite for air racing between the end of one year's action til the start of the next year's event. (Friendly wave)
Leon Kay
Go 737-700! I am sure this aircraft has a higher top speed!!
Thank you for a very interesting photo.
ROBERT MILLS JR
And, not to mention many of those Pipers having long legs for GA aircraft. Flew one (the Warrior variant N4401X) with two passengers nonstop from Page, NV, KPGA, all the way to Fresno, Chandler KFCH, back in 1995. Still had 50% over the IFR reserves, even after flying around Mono Lake, and Bishop KBIH; then, just nort of Lee Vining O24 up to 13,000 to cross the Sierras. Admittedly we caught a vertical updraft for several thousand feet at a climb rate in excess of 2,500 FPM. Love those Pipers but for the vision restricting low-wing configuration. Sadly that aircraft was lost to CFIT by a novice pilot at KSBP San Luis Obispo, CA.
ACTIVITY LOG
Want a full history search for N477WN dating back to 1998? Buy now. Get it within one hour.
Date Aircraft Origin Destination Departure Arrival Duration
05-May-2026 B737William P Hobby ()El Salvador Int'l () 10:08AM CDT 11:47AM CST 2:39
04-May-2026 B737Denver Intl ()William P Hobby () 08:26PM MDT 11:07PM CDT 1:41
04-May-2026 B737Ontario Intl ()Denver Intl () 03:41PM PDT 06:18PM MDT 1:37
04-May-2026 B737Austin-Bergstrom Intl ()Ontario Intl () 01:27PM CDT 02:27PM PDT 3:00
04-May-2026 B737John Wayne ()Austin-Bergstrom Intl () 08:01AM PDT 12:16PM CDT 2:14
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